February 3, 2009 - Posted by Julie - 14 Comments
Today of last year, I started driving independently to work. Frankly, after I got my driving license 11 years ago, I had never driven a car. And now after one year of driving to work……
…besides driving to work and back home, I only know how to drive to my corporate office in Jln Yew and my sis’ house around Bukit Jalil.
…out of 10 times, only 2 times that I can park my car straight and within the box.
…I need a very big space to reverse the car.
…I am still afraid of narrow roads. I have to wait till the opposite cars are cleared before I dare to go forward.
…I have zero knowledge in pumping petrol. My petrol tank never gets empty…thanks to Darling. 
…I only know how to push the gear to “P”, “N” and “D”. As long as the car is moving, who cares!
…from driving on 80 km/hour to 110 km/hour. It’s an achievement right? 
…I can drop by supermart/shopping mall anytime I like. Provided they have big and ample parking lots.
Of all, I thank God that I have not met into any accident so far.
Latest update: Darling changed company last year and so he can drop me off to work now. Yea, yea…I’ve got my “chauffer” back. I am definitely one blessed wife…
January 23, 2009 - Posted by Julie - 11 Comments
January 22, 2009 - Posted by Kimmy - 13 Comments
Happy Anniversary Dear.
Our Wedding Video Presentation on the 22 Jan 2005 (Video may take time to load)
Hope you like the hand bouquet.
January 11, 2009 - Posted by Julie - 21 Comments
The following morning after early Christmas celebration with Sia family, my mom, youngest sis, 3rd sis and family, me and Jonathan boy (Darling couldn’t take leave) travelled down to Hatyai in a fully-loaded Avanza. 3rd BIL’s sister stay in Hatyai so we got ourselves free accomodation, free food, free transport and free translator .
We enjoyed sitting on the uncovered pick-up truck.
If it wasn’t for 3rd BIL’s nieces (on the left and right, center is my youngest sis) who can converse in Thai, we will be talking cats and dogs, pointing and showing signs.
Purpose of the trip was not for a last minute Christmas shopping but targeted shopping for bags, shoes and pyjammas. That was our target but only 1 out of 3 targets achieved…BAGS. I got my handbag at RM50 and I think it is not really cheap as compared to branded bags on 50% – 70% sales over here. It’s either we are not good in bargaining or the prices really gone up. Zebra’s cookware cost so much more compared to few years ago. Pyjammas selling at pasar malam here is cheaper than those selling in Hatyai. Youngest sis got a travel suitcase at RM110 which I think is a good buy. We didn’t go for much Thai authentic food as 3rd BIL’s sis rarely eat out.
None of us dare to try the well-known fried insects or worms.
Mom found home made ice lolli which she used to enjoy when she was a kid. They pour carbonated drink into the iron rod and soak it in salted ice water. Within few minutes, you got the ice lolli at just 30 cents.
We have seen this bottle before in KL but just didn’t know why we got attracted to it and start camwhoring with it. Silly us…
We went to hypermarkets like Tesco and Makro. Milk powders there are few dollars cheaper but I wonder if it is of the same formula so ended up not buying as I rather not take any risk. The diet of Malaysian babies maybe different from Thai babies. We bought a trolley of Lay’s potato chips. They are real cheap. I saw a Malaysian tourist bought a trolley full of it.
Mom not forgetting to bring home some Thai fragrant rice for Dad. I’m not a picky eater so I can’t differentiate local and Thai rice. We changed for around 4000 baht and all gone after spending 3D 2N there. Nothing much we have bought but mostly spent on the food. Food there are not cheap though. All broke and so time to go to Penang to replenish our vitamin “M”.
Last but not least……
Jonathan sitting happily on his car seat at the back of the Avanza stuffed with lots of things.
January 6, 2009 - Posted by Julie - 13 Comments
C r A z Y…when the Ling Family get together, especially the 6 of us.
The family is always complete on Christmas unlike 1st day of CNY, some of us have to be with the in-laws. The tradition has always be that we have makan-makan on the eve of Christmas with some self-organised performance and caroling then followed by presents time. On the morning of Christmas day, we will be at church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with other fellow Christians.
We take turn to host each year’s Christmas. This time is 2nd sis turn and that is the reason why we were in Penang last Christmas. Here are the photos……
Each year we did our own caroling but this year, 2nd sis invited 5 young and sweet carolers.
The kids put up some dances. Ideas and creation all came from my talented 11 years old eldest niece. We were so impressed with them. Even the youngest grandchild were part of the performance as “Baby Jesus” in a “manger”.
Who is the Santa this year? The host of course…my 2nd BIL. This is a naughty Santa cause he tried to throw the kids into the pool. Jonathan boy is afraid of him too.
The eve of Christmas is bring to close with a prayer from my Dad. Dad always prayed very meaningful prayers and he never forgets to bless his children, son-in-laws and grandchildren.
So, this is the Ling family. The family pic gets outdated every year with new addition in the family. 3rd sis will be expecting a baby in June.
And Dad is waiting for his youngest daughter to find a soulmate and get married! Ahem…
Last but not least…Presents time. The kids can’t wait to find out what’s inside all the pretty wrapped boxes and so were their mommies.
We forgot to take the pics of the food (except the sushi) but never forget to mention the yummy food we had. Laksa, sushi, pandan chicken, sponge cake and soya jelly. Yummy, all homemade. Eldest sis very pro in making sushi with lots of fish caviar and mayo.
January 2, 2009 - Posted by Julie - 16 Comments
This year, I’ve chosen Lavender as the theme for my Christmas tree. Finally I managed to get the type of tree I like from Petaling Street. I spent nearly RM360 for this 7 feet tree and the ornaments. It was an impulse buying this time for the ornaments. Darling set up the tree and I put up the ornaments. Still not satisfied with the tree as I think I need more ornaments on such a huge Christmas tree. On top of that, we have a little rascal who keeps pulling down the ornaments and threw it on the floor like a ball. The glittering sand dust then stick to his hand and face. *Slap head* If only I could hang the Christmas tree on to the ceiling??
Darling decorated the main door and this time I was thrilled with his beautiful work.
I’m kinda lazy to prepare food and clean up so we decided to eat out for our Christmas dinner this year with Darling’s family (my in-laws). Off we went to Auntie Juliet Cafe in Kota Kemuning the Saturday before Christmas. After the dinner, all of us headed to my house for presents time. 4th sis and family usually join us to add to the fun.
Presenting to you……the Sia family.
December 30, 2008 - Posted by Julie - 10 Comments
Haven’t I mentioned before that Jonathan boy don’t chew his food till fine enough for his throat but rather swallowing it till he gets choke? He “cough” everytime he gulps from his bottle and take a deep breathe after he finishes as though he was holding his breath. Because of this, I delayed in giving him macaroni as I think it may be too hard and big for him to chew with his gums. But now, since both his upper and lower first molar had erupted, he should be able to handle those macaroni.
On the safe side, I shall mash the macaroni since this is his first try of macaroni and he is not the kind that will chew his food but swallow. I find it hard to mash the cooked macaroni as it is slippery. Another option is to use ABC pasta but since I seldom see them in supermart and it’s more expensive compare to normal macaroni, so I had this idea of crunching the macaroni using the stone grinder before putting it to boil. For the soup base, the stock was made up of anchovies, red dates, carrot and tomato. I added some tofu when it was almost done.
He likes it. I can try other macaroni recipes next time. Macaroni bolognaise…fried macaroni…macaroni cheese…
December 23, 2008 - Posted by Julie - 12 Comments
We will be spending the whole week in Penang. See you guys after Christmas. I shall post up our Christmas celebration hopefully before the new year comes.
Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday. Just in case…Happy New Year too!
December 20, 2008 - Posted by Julie - 11 Comments
Nope…it wasn’t a holiday for me. I was there to stress out my brain for an off-site meeting to align our team’s strategies and setting the KPIs for the next 12 months. Since I’m still BF Jonathan boy (morning & night only), I had to take him along for this 3D 2N meeting. Darling had to work so I got my parents to come with me to babysit Jonathan. Two of my nieces tagged along too.
We stayed in the water chalet with a partial sea view. Before the trip, I was so excited. But when I stepped in to the water chalet, nothing to woo about actually. Besides its open sky bathroom, the room is not as big as what I see from their website. The room comes with four-poster bed and a Pangkin daybed.
This is where we stayed.
The spa…Avi Spa
What lured me was the open shower concept where you could experience the freedom of showering or bathing underneath the clear blue sky. I felt uneasy at first and kept looking up if there is anyone hanging on the roof looking at me bathing. After a while, I felt so tantalizing showering with their aromatherapic bath gel and shampoo.
The kids was having great time at the petting farm and swimming pool. Jonathan enjoyed himself at the pool and playground. They even have a playroom for children. Mom obviously busy taking care of Jonathan whild Dad prefers to laze in the room watching tv.
Jonathan boy had a great time with his Gong Gong, Po Po and two big Jie Jie. But poor me…I see the sun rise in the morning but no chance to see the sun set in the evening. Definitely is not a holiday for me but a painstaking session. I definitely need more resources. Praying hard for a good bonus next year. Cheers…
December 9, 2008 - Posted by Julie - 19 Comments
When Jonathan boy was barely 1 year old and his molars have yet to erupt, I gave him baby biscuits to keep himself entertained while we enjoy our meals peacefully. Now that his two upper first molars has fully erupted with the right bottom first molar and two upper cuspid erupting, he could enjoy more table food.
While dining out, I will normally call for a plate of plain rice just for Jonathan boy. If he is lucky, he gets to have some tofu, fish or vegetables to compliment the rice. I’ll leave the rice in front of him with a spoon or sometimes he demand for our chopsticks or fork. And there he goes pooking or scooping the rice. When he gets fedup from no rice going into his mouth, there comes his fingers picking up the chunk of rice to feed his hungry stomach. That can keep him occupied throught the whole meal time without any fuss.
Now, Daddy & Mommy can enjoy meals peacefully with a MESS to clean up after that!
P/S: Always check that I have the bib and extra clothing to change if needed.
